:LAYOUT: Celebrate

I can't quite believe it, but my little girl turns NINE today!! What can I say...she is growing up WAY TOO FAST for my taste!

I'm taking the day off work today to help her celebrate. I'm not sure exactly what we're going to do yet - picnic in the park...afternoon movie at the theater...perhaps - but that's have the fun of it, right? We'll just have to see where the day takes us...

We also have an annual little backyard barbecue get-together with family to celebrate and we are getting ready for that this weekend, so I thought I'd share a layout today that highlighted last year's party.

THREE THINGS TO TRY:

1. Create a long strip of photos in various widths (but the same height) that spans the width of a two page layout.

2. Use a circle punch to create a base for journaling and other embellishments on your page.

3. Don't by scared...handwrite your journaling.

(click for a larger view)

Journaling:
2010 ~ Kaitlin’s birthday is always a great excuse to celebrate with family. Kaitlin looks forward to the festivities each year – great food, fun and, of course, a few gifts!

Supplies:
Cardstock: Unknown
Patterned Paper: Echo Park, October Afternoon, Fancy Pants
Sticker: Echo Park
Rub ons: Fancy Pants
Chipboard: Basic Grey
Pen: Bic
Circle Punch: Marvy
Corner Rounder: Marvy

:SPONSOR: Ella Publishing Scrapbook Challenges Bundle

I am so proud to have Ella as an AMOM sponsor as I LOVE all things Ella. When Simple Scrapbooks went away, I was so sad and Ella filled that void by offering me endless inspiration and instruction that followed the tradition of simple scrapbooking that I love so much.

That is why I wanted to make you aware of Ella's first bundle offer - the Scrapbook Challenges Bundle - which is available now at a great price of only $13.47!

The bundle contains three inspiring Ella titles including Scrapbooking the Everyday, How to Scrapbook your Personal Heritage and Creative Ideas for Events and Holidays. 

If you were to purchase these title individually, it would cost you $4.50 more, so this would be a wonderful opportunity to check out what Ella has to offer if you haven't already. OR, if you already love ELLA, but don't have these newest titles, it's a great chance to save some $$!

:FIVE FAVES: By Pattern...Argyle...

Welcome to FIVE FAVES by Pattern!

Patterns are everywhere in scrapbooking and add an indispensable element to our designs. Without patterns here and there, all of our creations would start to look quite boring and flat.

This edition of FIVE FAVES by Pattern celebrates a pattern classic...ARGYLE!

Bo Bunny Press - Cambridge Collection - Cambridge Argyle

Not surprisingly, one of the first thing that most people think of when they think about argyle patterns is school, so it was fitting that Bo Bunny included this distressed argyle design in their Cambridge collection.

EK Success - Slim Profile - Large Edger Punch - Argyle

These slim punches are so easy to use and SO easy to store...which makes it easy to want to collect them all!

MBI - 12 x 12 Post Bound Album - Argyle - Blue Raspberry

It's also easy to display your creations in style with this lovely argyle album.

My Mind's Eye - Lime Twist Collection - Remember Argyle

My Mind's Eye actually has A LOT of papers with the classic argyle pattern, but this one stood out to me the most with it's red-green-teal color scheme...one of my favorites.

Provo Craft - Cuttlebug - Embossing Folder - Argyle

Here's a great way to customize a layout and create an argyle pattern with any color you please.

One item that I was surprised NOT to find was an argyle patterned background stamp...I assumed there would be one and thought it would be great for FULL customization, but I couldn't seem to find one.

LET'S TALK:

Do you know of an argyle patterned background stamp currently on the market? OR, do you have other argyle patterned product favorites?

:REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages: 500+ New Designs for Capturing All Your Memories [CONTEST CLOSED]

I've got a great scrapbooking idea book for you and the title pretty much says it all.

The Big Book of Scrapbook Pages: 500+ New Designs for Capturing All Your Memories is the newest edition from Memory Makers books and is over 250 pages (well beyond the size of your average idea book) of pure EYE CANDY!!!

If you are looking for an editorial or instruction heavy edition, I'll tell you right now that this isn't it.

While there are brief 'Inspired Ideas' boxes on almost every two-page spread calling attention to or further explaining a particular technique, design or product usage, this idea book's focus is on VISUAL inspiration. Just about any event or theme for which you could desire some inspiration is included in this huge collection.

The edition is broken up into five chapters:

Chapter 1 - Everyday Memories: Daily life, all about me, careers, hobbies, faith, goals and more

Chapter 2 - Fun Times: Playtime, amusement parks, water fun, beach vacations, sports, travel and more

Chapter 3 - Holidays, Seasons, & Special Occasions: Holidays and seasons, birthdays, weddings and other important events

Chapter 4 - Special Relationships: Family, friends and couples

Chapter 5 - Kids, Babies & Pets: Babies, children, teens and family pets

If you are a sketch fan, there is also 6 pages of single and double page sketches at the end of the book.

If you have favorite scrap artists, it will be easy to find out if they have layouts included as there is a index of contributors at the back of the book with page numbers where their layout(s) can be found.

I have not be submitting much lately, but I did get on this call when it was announced last year and was completely honored to have the following four layouts picked up for inclusion:

(page 105)

(page 125)

(page 21)

(page 219)

And there's still 496+ AMAZING designs to inspire!

The Amazon.com product page has its common 'Look Inside' feature if you like to take a look at a little more of what's inside the covers of this great book.

GIVEAWAY:
I have one free copy of this amazing collection of eye candy available to give away to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment to this post by 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 9th, 2011.

Random.org will choose and I'll announce the winner on Friday.

GOOD LUCK!!

:WORD ART: Graduation Word Art Pack

Did you have any graduations in the family recently? If so, I have a new word art pack available for download at MyMemories.com.

Graduation Word Art Pack

Check out this and all my other word art packs available through MyMemories,Scrapbook Boutique and PrintMaster.

While these designs are in available in several formats for use with any digital software program, if you are looking for an easy and affordable digital scrapbooking software, you should definitely give My Memories Suite a look. It is great for digital scrapbookers of all levels or even traditional scrapbookers that are looking to supplement their paper crafting in order to complete more layouts and/or be able to craft even when away from home and supplies.

My Memories Suite is currently the #1 rated digital scrapbooking software on the market.

Read more about all the great features of My Memories Suite here.

GET $10 OFF!!

My Memories Suite already has a great price, but I have a $10.00 OFF coupon code for you to try it for yourself! Simply copy and paste the code STMMMS74998 at checkout to receive you discount.

:SPONSORS: June 2011 AMOM Sponsors

AMERICAN CRAFTS

I'm proud to have American Crafts is a sponsor for the AMOM blog again this month.

You'll want to stay tuned again this month for another great giveaway of wonderful American Crafts products as I've got a box of goodies from their BRAND NEW Margarita line on the way to me right now.
Don't miss out...

GET IT SCRAPPED

Scrapbooking Travel is one of the newer course offerings available at Get it Scrapped!

Here's a brief description form their website:
"Chronicling your travels on scrapbook pages allows you to relive the trip even when you’re back home. Photos, memorabilia, facts and journaling impressions are all part of making scrapbook pages that capture the trip."

In case you missed it, I posted a review detailing a bit more on the contents of the class last month. Check it out here.

See other current class offerings in the Get It Scrapped! box in the right sidebar!

NICOLE LOMBARDO

Nicole's always got great new die cut designs available at her Etsy shop...and old favorites in new colors and textures as well.

This beautiful scroll in its lovely green shade called "Fly Away" has me dreaming of springtime layouts. This particular scroll design is available in a variety of other colors as well.

Check out her store for more great items!

ELLA PUBLISHING CO.

Scrapbooking the Everyday is the newest eBook offering from Ella Publishing Co.

Ella description:
"Life's littlest and most magical moments can be very easy to overlook. But no longer! Elizabeth Dillow and Tina Cockburn are here to help you scrapbook your regular days with simplicity and style.

Join the fun as Elizabeth and Tina tackle 12 unique scrapbooking challenges, creating meaningful projects that look at daily life in a new way. Get inspired to scrapbook everything from the laundry to the library, from your cityscape to a typical backyard scene. It all counts!"

In case you missed it, I posted a review of this title here.

--------------------------------------------------------

WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BECOMING A SPONSOR OF THE AMOM BLOG? If so, please contact me and I would be happy to provide you with further details.

:LAYOUT: Indian Village

Since the weather looked to be uncertain this year, my family decided to forgo our annual picnic and just enjoyed lunch at Olive Garden (a family favorite). It ended up NOT raining, so we did still visit Falls Park in Sioux Falls...beautiful. Highly recommended if you've never been there.

Here's a layout from last year's Memorial Day activities when we visited the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell, SD.

THREE THINGS TO TRY:

1. Use a standard 4x6 photo as the focal photo and then create several 4x6 collage prints (some with two photos and some with four) to highlight other aspects of the theme without overwhelming the layout.

2. Arrange your photos on a square mat and use blocks of patterned paper to fill in the gaps.

3. Use three elements that extend beyond the block to create a visual triangle.

(click for a larger view)

Journaling:
The 2nd stop on our Memorial Day trip was the Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell. 2010

Supplies:
Cardstock: Bazzill
Patterned Paper, Stickers, Journaling Spots: October Afternoon
Letter Stickers: Basic Grey
Pens: Bic
Ink: Colorbox
Edge Distressor: Heidi Swapp
Border Punch: EK Success